The site of the alleged illegal dumping incident behind the former Nick’s Luncheonette at 423 First Ave. on Wednesday, Aug. 1. Police later arrested and charged an employee of a West Haven landscaping company with two counts of illegal dumping. The infraction carries a fine of $219 per violation, according to state statute. The employee was also ordered to properly dispose of the trash and clean up the site. (City Photo/Tom McCarthy)

Rossi issues warning about illegal dumping

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 8, 2018 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi is sending a clear message to the public: Illegal dumping will not be tolerated in West Haven and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Rossi’s warning comes in response to an incident Wednesday, Aug. 1, in which police arrested an employee of a West Haven landscaping company for alleged illegal dumping behind the former Nick’s Luncheonette at 423 First Ave.

According to acting Public Works Commissioner Lou Esposito, police were alerted by the mayor’s office and called to Nick’s on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 1, where officers found trash strewn across the parking lot of the recently closed restaurant. The trash was composed of building materials, household goods and TVs, Esposito said.

Police investigated the scene and determined that the trash came from a home in New Haven. The house is apparently being renovated by a New Haven contractor who allegedly hired a third party to remove and dispose of the home’s trash.

Later Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 1, police arrested and charged the employee with two counts of illegal dumping. The infraction, according to Chapter 446d, Section 22a-250 of the Connecticut General Statutes, carries a fine of $219 per violation, bringing the total fine to $438, Esposito said.

The employee was also ordered to properly dispose of the trash from the parking lot and to clean up the site, which was “broom-cleaned” by the employee Thursday morning, Aug. 2, Esposito said.

Rossi commended the Police Department for their swift investigation and apprehension of the alleged perpetrator.

“Quick action by West Haven police is what led to a successful close in this case,” Rossi said. “I encourage people to report incidents like this directly to the police as soon as possible. We need to instill a zero tolerance for dumping in our city.”

The former Nick’s property is now owned by The Haven Group LLC and Simon Property Group, the developers of The Haven, a 235,000-square-foot luxury outlet center.

Nick’s Luncheonette has since relocated to the former site of Pizza Hut at 255 Sawmill Road and is expected to reopen in the near future.

The site since being “broom-cleaned” by the employee Thursday morning, Aug. 2. (City Photo/Tom McCarthy)

Singin’ on the Green: Movies & Bands premiering tonight

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 8, 2018 — The city’s new summer series, Singin’ on the Green: Movies & Bands, premieres at 7:30 tonight with a showing of “Mamma Mia!” the 2008 jukebox musical romantic comedy.

Organizers said the free series, held Wednesday nights, features three concerts performed on The John C. Ireland Bandstand and two high-definition movies shown on a 20-by-12-foot projection screen at Campbell Avenue and Main Street.

People are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs. There are no rain dates at the moment, organizers said.

The city is sponsoring all movies and bands in the series, except for the band Cleo Blue, which is sponsored by the West Haven Veterans Council.

Singin’ on the Green is co-sponsored by West Haven United, an organization aimed at bringing the city’s volunteer groups together, along with the Veterans Council and West Haven Vietnam Veterans.

Throughout the series, members of West Haven United will have an informational booth on the Green to register people for future volunteer efforts across the city.

The series continues with live music Aug. 22, followed by a showing of “Grease,” the 1978 musical romantic comedy, at 7 p.m. Sept. 5.

It culminates Sept. 14 with dance party favorites performed by Cleo Blue and live music Sept. 19.

Organizers will announce the time for Cleo Blue and the bands and times for Aug. 22 and Sept. 19 at a later date.

View the official Flyer.

RWA bringing advanced metering infrastructure to West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 7, 2018 — About 13,000 Regional Water Authority customers in West Haven will have the water industry’s latest metering technology installed starting next month, joining the 50,000 customers in the RWA’s water district who have already received the upgrade.

The system will allow the RWA to accurately read customers’ water meters by securely transmitting a low-powered signal from an AMI endpoint, a small device connected to the meter, to the RWA’s office.

The technology will upgrade how the RWA receives water consumption information, eliminate the need for manually reading customers’ meters, provide early detection of water leaks, and largely eliminate estimated water bills.

The RWA will deploy the new metering system to every customer in its 15-town service area over the next two years.

The RWA hired Contract Callers Inc., or CCI, to install the new advanced meter reading devices. Installation generally takes less than an hour and involves attaching the AMI endpoint to the customer’s existing water meter, usually where the existing meter reading device is located.

Read the official RWA News Release.

Watch the RWA Advanced Metering Infrastructure video on the official RWA YouTube channel.

For more information, visit the RWA website at https://www.rwater.com/customer-care/advanced-metering-infrastructure or the CCI website at https://www.contractcallers.com/rwa/.

Members sought for new West Haven Sustainability Team

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 7, 2018 — The city’s new Sustainability Team is looking for members.

The Sustainability Team, also known as the Green Team, will help manage West Haven’s sustainability efforts by identifying resources and opportunities and creating an action plan for enhancing and developing the city’s capacity to thrive as a community — economically, environmentally and culturally.

Ideally, the team will consist of members from different backgrounds who are enthusiastic about making West Haven more sustainable. It is helpful if members have some knowledge of sustainability issues; however, the most important factor is a willingness to engage in the process.

The Sustainability Team will hold regular meetings and create a plan toward reaching the benchmarks outlined in the Sustainable CT program, such as recycling, energy conservation and shoreline restoration.

Send letters of interest by Aug. 15 to Kristen Teshoney in the mayor’s office at kteshoney@westhaven-ct.gov.

For more information, visit https://sustainablect.org/.

Duckpin bowlers

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 7, 2018 — Connie Cappiello, white shirt, joins participants and counselors of the Washington Elementary School playground camp July 26 at the Woodlawn Duckpin Bowling Alley, 240 Platt Ave.

The seventh annual duckpin bowl-athon, held July 26-27, was sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation’s playground camp program in memory of Cappiello’s son, former employee Ed Cappiello Jr., and former employee Valerie DeFonzo-Withington, who died of long-term illnesses.

The city’s six playground sites participated in the benefit and raised $1,200 for scholarship funds in Cappiello’s and Withington’s names.

Winkle Bus Co. donated the bus transportation.

(City Photo/Modestine Vaughn)

Farmers market open Thursdays, Saturdays on West Haven Green

WEST HAVEN, July 30, 2018 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market is open for its 19th season on the Green.

Through Oct. 27, the market at Main Street and Campbell Avenue features state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

It includes crafters selling their wares.

The Thursday markets showcase food trucks, including 744 Express and Spuds Your Way, dishing up such savory favorites as baked potatoes, lobster rolls and pulled pork sandwiches. Each truck offers a weekly special.

Taxes were due July 1; payments after Aug. 1 accrue interest

WEST HAVEN, July 30, 2018 — City taxes were due July 1, and payments after Aug. 1 are considered delinquent and subject to interest, Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli said.

Tax bills — real estate, personal property, motor vehicle and sewer — are payable in two installments: July and January.

Each tax bill, which is sent out once a year, has three parts: a payment coupon for July, payment coupon for January and payment coupon for taxpayers’ records.

The tax office is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

For the convenience of taxpayers, the city has an ATM outside the office.

Taxpayers can see their tax bills, make a payment, and print their payment history for income tax purposes at Tax Collector. Sewer bills are on the same page but under a separate heading.

In July and January only, current taxes can be paid by mail to a tax office lockbox, P.O. Box 150461, Hartford, CT 06115-0461. When paying by lockbox or the drop box outside the tax office in City Hall, the canceled check is the receipt.

After Aug. 1, taxes with interest can be paid by mail to the Office of the Tax Collector, P.O. Box 401, West Haven, CT 06516. Payments can also be made in person.

Anyone needing a motor vehicle clearance must pay in person with cash, credit card, bank check or money order.

Driver safety course offered in West Haven

Driver safety course offered Sept. 12

WEST HAVEN, July 30, 2018 — The West Haven Senior Center will offer an AARP Driver Safety Program from noon-4 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

The program is designed to help sharpen driving skills, develop strategies to adjust to age-related vision changes, develop hearing and reaction times, and learn about the effects of medication on driving performance.

Participants must complete the class to receive a certification for insurance purposes.

The fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers, payable to AARP.

To register, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.

Farmers market vouchers available

WEST HAVEN, July 20, 2018 — Farmers market vouchers are available at the West Haven/Allingtown Senior Center, 201 Noble St.

To receive $18 in vouchers, the income limits for those at least 60 years old are $30,451 per year, or $2,537 per month, for a married couple and $22,459 per year, or $1,871 per month, for a single person.

Each voucher booklet contains six $3 vouchers.

When picking up the vouchers, eligible residents must show proof of income and sign a receipt confirming they meet the income guidelines. For proof of income, residents can show a gray Connect Card from the state.

The Tony Inzero Farmers Market is on the Green from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 27.

For information about the voucher program, call the Department of Elderly Services at 203-937-3507.